Taping machine



May 9, 1939- F. H. BRITE TAPING MACHINE Filed March 16, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet l F. H. BRITE TAPING MACHINE- May 9, 1939.

Filed Ma rchv 16, 1937 s Sheets-Sheet s Patented May 9, 1939 h u Qumran?s'T rEs' Para-NT, OFF-ICE Fronticeflarold Brita' Medford Mass assignor t to Agar Manufacturing Corporation, Whippa y, I ,N. J., a corporation of NewjYork s i iif;non Manhole, issmise iarm. 131,158 g yf ee i s. (Cl. 93 56) e V The present inventionrelatesto a m achinefor Other objects, features, and advantages of the cutting and affixing-strips of adhesive tape to the invention will be apparent from the following seams'of foldedboir blanks, to unitetheopposite ,description, and from an inspection :of the ac- "companying drawings in which:

- edges thereof between itsfend closurefflaps; In one type of machine heretoforeemployed, Fig, 1 is aside elevation partly in section of a 5 a the folded blanks are fed from a hopper'ftothe umachineembodyin'g the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the target mechtaping mechanismoperatd'inrsynchronlsrn jwith the feed. In pushing successive]. folded-blanks :anisni for the machine; from thebottom' of ithejpile, oneportlonofthe Fig. 3 is a section taken on line' 3-3 of Fig. 1,

blank is liable to slip 'in respectto ,th'eyother so 1 Figs. 4 and 5 are sections taken on line 4-4 16 i that the edges'donotfproperlyj abut at' zthe seam ;of Fig. 3, but showing respectively diflerent posie to be-taped, andth'erefore the-endsofgthe taped tions "of the target mechanism, p b ar n t in th same p la ne," 4 Fig.6 is an enlarged section taken on line Inv another typefofmachine"commonly em- 6-45 of-Fig. 1, r a plo'yed, the folded blanks are fcd,-by hand and Fig. 'Iiis a perspective, showing the clutch ele 15 relative movement of the abutting edges is prements :of Fig. 6 in separated position, vented, but fit is necessary to'lpull the tape by A Fig. 8 is a section taken on line 8-8 ofFig. 3, hand and apply the eridto the seem at the proper and" a j point. f V a v rigew9isaside'elevation partly insectiomofa The main object of my invention'is to. provide portion of the tape feeding mechanism shown a tapingmechanisnrwhich will automatically "in-Fig.8. 5 e a apply theftape in theproper place v and cut it off 'g'Ihe' machine in the specific form illustrated at the proper point, as the folded blanks are fed' has a framestructure Ill; on which is supported by hand, and held in -proper folderl condition the mechanism forfeedinga series of folded box "until they enter the feed rolls of themachine and blanks. A therethrough in succession. This blank 25 if the tape is'app'liedr; Byautomatically-starting feeding mechanism may be of anyusual con- 3- the tapeapplying' mechanism by the acticn of struction, and in the specific form shown inthe} blank itself; in ventering the machine the cludes a pair of feed rollers'on a pair of shafts blanks may be'fed at any desired rate, or with any ll, atthe rear end of the machine; and condesired gap or interval between successive'blanks, nect'edby-a pair of intermeshinggears'l l Be- 30 and the tape will be automaticallyapplied injthe yondjthesfe feed rollers is a blank advancing conproper position and cut ofl at the proper length eyor belt; 13 passing at one end over a pulley l4 for each successive blank Then ech'anism is cooperating with a roller I! on the opposite side such that by proper adjustment in respectto' the j-oi the'top-runof the conveyor belt l3. The pulley p. size or proportion of the blank one end of each in roller are mounted on shafts I5 and 20, which 35 re connected by meshing gears I8 and 2|. other pair ofblank feed rollers 22 and 23 are mounted beyond the pulley fll on shafts Hand 25 connected by intermeshing gears 26 and 21. The feed roller 22 is disposed in position to press on the upper surface of the blank A to hold' it in feeding contact with the belt while the roller 231s; disposed between the two runs of the coning will stop and the-tape be cut oflsoithat the other end of the tape comes'at theproper posi-' 40 tion in respect'to the closurefflaps at the'other end of the blank. j

As a feature of the present invention there is provided means actuated by the successive blanks,

as they are fed through jthe machine, for eilecting veyorbelt l3 and supports the top run as shown the corresponding successive operations o'f thev--'in Figs. 4 and 5. v V 45 tape feeding mechanism "and the tapefcutting :';j-For-driving the various parts of the blank feedmechanism. Thus the operations "of these met-n+1 ing mechanism in unison-there is provided any anisms are so controlled.that'ajsepar-ateistrip of suitable form 'of drive; shown I emplo'ya tape is fed, cut off, and'applied'toeach boxblank i pulley= 30,which drives through a belt 32, a pulley irrespective of the frequency ofthfe blankzfeedingf 3| on'a'shaft 33 having a gear 34 meshing with 50 operation. i w the gear 21 which transmitspower tothe gear is As another feature of' the, priesent inven on through an-idlcr 36. a'nd'sald gear, l8 in turn there is provided acontrol membergfrom'; which '=--itransmits power to one'of the gears through the tape feeding mechanism-and tlieItapecutting an idler. gear 31.

mechanism are operated, a transmissionibetwenfl ,The trainyof gears so f r e i ed is such 5 the drive ofthe machine and said control meinthat all of the blank contacting parts of the blank ber including a clutch, and'a trigger or targe feeding mechanism are moved at the same pedevice actuated by-the advancing box blanks for ripheral speed. e I effecting the engagement or disengagement of Also'supported on the frame structure Id of the 30 said clutch. v

Qmachine is a-tape supply reel Ill, from which the guided against lateral movement by guide memtape B is delivered over a pair of idler rollers 4|, and a fountain roller 42 immersed in a tank 43, to apply moisture to the gummed side of the tape. The tape then passes between a pair of tape feeding rollers 44 and 45, through a cutting device which includes a fixed block 41 and a movable knife 48, and then underneath the roller 22 where it is applied along the seam between the opposite edges of the folded box blank A.

One or more pressure rollers 58 are provided for applying an additional pressure on the tape after it leaves the tape applying roll 22 to assure the proper adhesion of the cut tape section on to the blank. These rollers 58 ride over the top side of the upper run of the conveyor belt l3, and cooperate with rollers 49 on the underside of said belt run. Each roller 58 is mounted on one end of a pair of inclined arms 5|, the other end being pivotally supported on the frame structure of the machine, so that the full weight of these rollers plus the pressure of springs, if desired, is applied to the box blanks. The box blanks, while passing underneath the pressure rollers 58, are

bers 52.

As an important feature of the present invention, there is provided in the path of movement of the advancing box blank A, beyond the tape applying roller 22, a target mechanism, which is tripped by each box blank, and which causes the rotation of the tape advancing roll 45 in tape feeding direction and the operation of the cutting member 48. This mechanism (see Fig. 2) includes a pair of targets 68 disposed on opposite sides of the conveyor belt I3 and having bases 6| mounted on a carriage 62, which in turn is mounted for sliding movement over a carriage supporting member 63. These target bases 6| have dovetail slidable connections with a pair of guide ribs 65 on the carriage 62, so that the targets 68 may be adjusted to selected position lengthwise of said carriage, and fixed in position by means of set screws 66.

The targets are positioned in respect to the length of the end closure flaps of the blank, and not in accordance with the total length of the blank, or the length of the box portion. The targets are so 'set that the tape feeding mechanism will come into operation at the proper time and deliver the advanced end of the tape to the blank at the fold line along the base of the end closure flaps.

The carriage supporting member 63 comprises 1 a pair of spaced bars 61 with hinge connections 68 to the frame structure of the machine. The carriage 62 has inturned flanges at the sides thereof to engage beneath said bars 61 so that said carriage is retained against transverse movement with respect thereto.

The targets 68 are normally held in predetermined position with respect to the tape applying roller 22 by means of a pair of springs I8 connecting the frame structure of the machine, to a pair of flanges 1| depending from the under side of the carriage 62.

Each box blank A will advance until its forward end engages the targets 68, as shown in Fig. 4. The continued movement of the box blank causes the targets 68 and the carriage 62 to be advanced against the action of the springs 18. This actuation of the targets 68 causes the rotation of a control shaft I5 which in turn causes the rotation of the tape feeding roll 45 in feeding direction, and the actuation of the movable knife 48 in tape cutting position.

The control shaft I5 is connected to the drive through a clutch I6 which is intermittently operated by the targets 60. The operating mechanism between the targets 68 and the clutch I6 includes a rock shaft" supported on the frame of the machine, and to which are affixed a pair of spaced crank arms 11, the outer ends of which carry crank pins disposed in elongated slots I8 in Also fixed to the shaft I4 at one end thereof is a crank arm 88, pivotally connected to one end of a link 8|. The other end of this link 8| is pivotally connected to one arm of a bell crank 82, the other arm of which is pivotally connected to the lower end of a substantially vertical link 83. The upper end of this link 83 is adapted to operate the clutch 16 by which the shaft I5 is intermittently connected to the drive.

The clutch I6 includes a comparatively long bushing 85 keyed to the shaft I5 and provided with an enlarged portion 86 presenting an axially facing shoulder 81 adjacent to one end, and a plate 88 fixed thereto at the other end by any suitable means, such as the screws 89 in threaded holes 98. Mounted forrotation on the bushing 85 and abutting the shoulder 81 is a collar 9|, and supported between this collar 9| and the plate 88 is a continuously rotating sleeve clutch member 94, defining an annular space 95, around the bushing 85. For continuously rotating the clutch member 94, said latter member has a sprocket 9B driven through a sprocket chain 91 from a sprocket 98 fixed to one end of the shaft 25 on which the roller 23 is supported.

Encircling the bushing 85 in the annular space 95, is a coil spring I85 made of ribbon stock and provided at one end with a notch I86 adapted to engage a lug |'I fixed to the collar 9|, and a pair of diametrical extending notches I88 at the other end engaging a pair of lugs ||8 afilxed to the outer end of the bushing 85.

The coil spring I85 has an inherent tendency to unwind and radially expand into contact with the clutch member 94, but is restrained from such expansion while the collar 9| and the bushing 85 engaging the ends of the spring are held against such unwinding. In order to normally hold this collar 9| against such rotation the outer periphery of said collar is helical in shape, to present a shoulder which is engaged by a detent lever H6 pivotally supported on the frame structure of the machine and to the link 83 by which it is operated.

The bushing 85 is normally held against rotation by a pivoted arm 8 engaging a shoulder 9 formed on the enlarged portion 86 of the bushing.

Upon the actuation of the targets 60 by the advancing end of a box blank as already described, the link 83 will be moved downwardly and will pull the detent lever H6 out of engagement with the shoulder M5 on the collar 9|. The collar 9| will then be free to rotate in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. '7, under the unwinding influence of the coil spring I05, so that the spring wiil expand radially into driving engagement with the clutch member 94. Since the sprocket 96 is rotating in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 7) this engagement will cause the rotation of the bushing 85 in a counterclockwise direction and the corresponding rotation of the control shaft I5 therewith. This control shaft rotates for one revolution and is then stopped bythe return upward movement of the link 83.

In order to effect the return upward movement of the link 83 there is provided a cam I20 on a shaft I2I rotated from the control shaft 15 through a sprocket chain I24 passing over a pair of sprockets I22 and I23. Pivotally connected to 5 the frame structure of the machine is a T-shaped lever having three arms I25, I26, and I21. The". lever arm I25 carries at its outer end a cam'roller 1 I28 engaging the cam I20 ment therewith by a link I30 pivotally connect- 10 ing the lever arm I26 to a spring I3I, fixed to the frame structure. The rear end of the carriage supporting member 63 is connected to the lever arm I21 by a link I32. Thus as soon as the control shaft I5 starts rotating it causes a corre- 5 sponding rotation of the cam I20,and when the high portion of said camengages the cam roller I26 the carriage supporting member'63 is swung down about its pivotal connection 68 from the position shown in Fig. 4 until the targets '60 are 20 below the lower surface of thebox blank A. -"Ihese targets 60 under action of the springs III will then return to the left into the position shown in Fig. 5. This return movement of the targets 60 will cause the corresponding upward movement of the link 83 so that the collar 9I will be stopped when its shoulder II5 reaches the detent lever H6. The stopping of the collar 9| will be cushioned by the coil spring I05.

For actuating the tape feed roll 45 inresponse 3 to the rotation of the control shaft I5, a pinion I35 is fixed to the shaft 46 and meshes with one side of a rack bar I36, the other side of which rides in engagement with a freely rotatablefianged roller I31 supported on a bracket I38 35 fixed to the frame structure of themachine.

This rack bar I36 is provided at one end with an elongated slot I39 through which the control shaft I extends, and is reciprocated by the rotation of the control shaft I5 through a cam 4o I40 fixed to said shaft I5 and engaging a cam roller I4I rotatively supported on the upper end of the rack bar I36. A springi 48 connected to the bracket I38 holds the roller against said cam I40. This cam I40 is mounted for circumferential adjustment with respect to the shaft I5, and for that purpose has a hand wheel I42 fixed to a flange plate I43,"by bolts I44 passing through elongated slots I45 in said flange member, said latter member being keyed to the control shaft I5 for rotation therewith. In operating the machine the cam I40 is adjusted in accordance with the length of the body of the blank plus the end of the closure flaps at the front end. Thus the cam will cause the operation of the cutter at the proper. time so that the end of the cut-off section will come at the fold-line along the base of the closure flapsat the rear end of the blank.

In order to effect the rotation of the tape feed roll 45 and deliver the end of the tape to the 60 blank, to permit the pulling of the tape by the blank at a rate faster than the drive of the feed roll and to prevent the rotation of said roll in the opposite direction upon the return move- .ment of the rack bar I36, this feed roll is in the form of a hollow drum (Fig. 9) having a pair of spaced serrated tape feeding portions; I49 and provided in the inner surface thereof, at one end with ratchet teeth I50, cooperating with a pawl I5I pivotally connected to one end of an arm I52 fixed to the shaft 46. This shaft 46 extends centrally through said drum and supports said drum for relative rotation with respect thereto. Upon an upward movement of the rack bar I36, the shaft 46will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 8 and the and held in ehgagea n 3 feed roll 45 will be correspondingly rotated in tape feeding direction by the interengagement of the pawl I5I and the ratchet teeth I50. Thus the roll feeds the end ,of the tape to the blank so that roller 22 applies it to the blank; The blank .then pulls the tape at the speed of the blank and the roll '45 overruns due to the rachet teeth I50 and pawl I5I. Upon the return downward movement of the rack bar I36 the pawl I5I will ride idly over the ratchet teeth I50 and the feed roll 45 may continue its rotation with the tape but is prevented from a reverse rotation by a series of ratchet teeth I54 on one end, engaging a spring pressed detent I55.

In order to effect the operation of the movable knife 48 at a predetermined phase in the rotation of the control shaftl5, said knife is pivotally mounted on the frame structure intermediate its ends (Fig. 3) and is pivotally connected at one end to the lower end of a substantially vertically extending link I56, the length of which may be adjusted by. a turnbuckle; The other end of this link is pivotally connectedto a substantially horizontal vlever arm I58 to the frame'structure. The knife 48 is normally urged toward open'position with respect to the fixed cutting block 41, by a spring I59, and moved to cutting position againstthe action of said spring by a cam I60 engaging the under side of said lever and fixed to the control shaft I5. This cam I60 can be rotatably adjusted with respect to the control shaft I5, and for that purpose has a hand wheel 'I6I connected to a flange plate I62 by bolts I63, passingthrcugh elongated slots in said plate, said plate being keyed to the control shaft I5 for rotation therewith. By adjusting the targets 60 with respect to the carriage 62 and by adjusting the angular position'of the cam I60 with respect to the con- I trol shaft I5, the tape lengths may be selectively varied. v In order to intermittently rotate the tape supply reel 40 and reduce the tension which would otherwise be exerted by the roll 45, or the pull of the blank with the end of the tape attached thereto, there is provided a feed member I65 mounted for rotation on a shaft I66 driven from the con- I51 pivotally supported at trol'shaft I5 through a rope I6Ipassing over- I rope-pulleys I68 and I69, the latter pulley. being fixed to the shaft I66. This rope I6! has a driving engagement with pulley I68 which may be a part of the cam I40 and the hand wheel I42. Thus the feed member I 65 is rotated in unison with'the shaft I5, and is so positioned with respect to the knife thatas soon as the feeding of .the tape onto the blank is interrupted by the knife, said feed member will be out of contact with the outer periphery of the tape supply reel 40 and will remain out of engagement until the next blank is fed to the machine.

In order'to effect the-operation of the tape feeding and tape cutting mechanisms when no blanks arebeing delivered through the machine,

. all that is necessary is to manually move the' carriage 62 forwardly of the machine. In order to conveniently effect this manual operation, the carriage 62 has threaded thereon a.pair of upwardly extending handles I15. This manual op eration may be desirable for instance, for the purpose of trimming off the front end of the tape preliminary to chine.

Although the operation of the machine will be apparent from the foregoing description this operation may be summarized as follows;

the normal operation of the ma- The box blanks A are folded and held with the edges in proper registering position while being fed by hand or otherwise in succession in spaced relationship to the feed rolls, and as the front end of each blank trips the targets 60 the clutch 16 is engaged and the shaft I5 is rotated to cause the actuation of the tape feeding roll 45 and, the deliveryof the end of the tape onto the blank at the proper point. The blank then pulls the tape. At a predetermined phase in the operation. the knife 48 is actuated to out a predetermined tape length. The tape as it is delivered through the cutting mechanism is applied to the seam of the folded box blank between the closure flaps thereof.

The target is so positioned that the front end of the tape engages the blank at the end of the slot in the front edge of the blank and the cam I is so positioned that the knife cuts the tape at such a point that the endregisters with the end of the slots in the rear edge of the blank.

Upon the return movement of the targets into the position shown in Fig. 5, the clutch I6 is disengaged and the stop shoulder I I 9 on the bushing 85 coming in contact with the lever H8 is stopped from further rotation, thereby interrupting the rotation of the shaft I5. This controlshaft I5 remains stationaryuntil the front end of the next succeeding blank trips the targets 60 again.

By means of my invention blanks may be fed at any desired rate, and of any desired size or proportion and held in proper folded position while being delivered to the feed rolls. As soon as the feed rolls grip the blank they prevent any relative slipping or movement of the abutting edges and the tape of the proper length is applied in the proper position on the blank. By means of my invention the objections heretofore noted in regard to the usual types of taping machines are overcome.

Although I have illustrated a mechanical means in the form of targets for starting the tape feeding mechanism in operation when the blank reaches a predetermined point in the machine, it will be obvious that a wide variety of other mechanisms might be employed for this purpose. For instance, an electric eye might be employed in place of the targets, and a solenoid employed for actuating the pawl I I8, or other means for releasing and starting the tape feeding mechanism.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A machine for applying a tape to the abutting edges of a folded box blank between its end closure flaps, including means for advancing a box blank through the machine, a feed roll for advancing the end of a tape, means for adhesively applying the end of the tape to said blank, means permitting free rotation of said roll by the pull on the tape exerted by the moving blank, a cutter for said tape, a rotatable member, means for actuating first said roll and then said cutter during each revolution of said member, a target in the path of advancing movement of the blank, means for initiating rotation of said member upon movement of said target, and means for stopping rotation of said member after each rotation.

2. A machine for applying a tape to the abutting edges of a folded box blank between its end closure flaps, including means for advancing the box blank through the machine, means for feeding a tape, means for applying the end of the tape to the blank whereby the blank continues the feeding movement of the tape, a tape cutter, a target in the path of advancing movement of the blank, and means controlled-by said target to actuate first said feeding means-and then said cutter. a

3. A machine for applying a tape tov the abutting edges of a folded box blank between its end closure flaps, including means for advancing the box blank through the machine, means for feeding a tape toward the advancing blank, means for adhesively applying the end of the tape to the blank whereby the tape is pulled along by the blank, a tape Cutter, 2. target in the path of advancing movement of the blank, a clutch for driving said tape feeding means and said cutter, means controlled by said target for effecting engagement of said clutch, and means for disengaging said clutch after a single rotation.

4. A machine for applying a tape to the abutting edges of a folded box blank between its end closure flaps, including means for advancing the blank through the machine, a roller for feeding the end of a tape, means for adhesively applying the end of the tape to the blank, means for positively rotating said roller in a tape feeding direction while permitting it to overrun in said direction by the pulling action of the blank on said tape, a target in the path of advancing movement of said blank, and means controlled by said target for initiating the positive rotation of said roller.

5. A machine for applying a tape to the abutting edges of a folded box blank between its end closure flaps, including means for advancing the blank through the machine, a roller for feeding the end of a tape, means for adhesively applying the end of the tape to the blank, means for positively rotating said roller in a tape feeding direction while permitting it to overrun in said direction by the pulling action of the blank on said tape, a tape cutter, target means in the path of advancing movement of the blank, and power means controlled by said target for initiating the positive rotating of said roller and the operating of said cutter.

6. A machine for applying a tape to the abutting edges of a folding box blank between its end closure flaps including a drive, means operated from said drive for advancing a box blank through the machine, means for feeding tape towards the advancing blank in position to be applied thereto, a transmission between said drive and said tape feeding means including a clutch, and a target slidable in the direction of movement of the blank by the forward end of the advancing blank for effecting the engagement of said clutch.

'7. A machine for applying a tape to the abutting edges of a folding box blank between its end closure flaps including means for advancing a box blank through the machine, means for feeding a tape towards the advancing blank in position to be applied thereto, a target disposed in the path of movement of said advancing: blanks, and adapted to be slidably advanced by the forward end of said advancing blank, means for actuating said tape feeding means upon the movement of said target, and means for moving said target out of the path of movement of the advancing blank after said target has been machine," means forfeeding tape inthe same general direction as said advancing blanks and in position to be applied thereto, means for cutting said tape in predetermined lengths, a control shaft, a transmissionbetween said control shaft and said tape feeding means, a second transmission between said control shaft and said cutting means, and means actuatedby the movement of the advancing blanks for. rotating said shaftat intervals.-

. 0- A machine of the class described including means for advancing 'a box --blank through the. machine, means for feeding time towards the advancing blank in position to be-applied thereto, means for cutting-the tape, a control shaft, a transmission between said control shaft and said tape feeding means and including a cam fixed to said control shaft, a second transmission between said control shaft and said outting means and including a second cam adjustably mounted on said (shaft, and target.v means operated by the advancing blank for effecting the rotation of said control shaft, to efiect the actuing a frame structure, a drive, means operated ation of said tape feeding means and-said cutting means.

11. A machine of the class described including a drive, means operated from said drive for advancing a box blank through the machine, means for feeding tape towards the advancing blank in position to be applied thereto, means for cutting said tape in predetermined lengths, a control shift, a transmission between the drive and said control shaft including a clutch on said control shaft, a pair of transmissions between said control shaft on the one hand and said tape feeding means and said cuttingmeans respectively on the other, a target actuated by the forward end of the advancing blank, and means between said target and said clutch for effecting the engagement of said clutch upon the actuation of said target, whereby said control shaft is rotated.

12. A machine of the class described includfrom said drive for advancing a box blank through the machine, means for feeding tape towards the advancing blank in position to be applied thereto, cutting means for said tape, a slidable carriage, a target carried by said carriage and extending in the path of movement of the advancing blank, a member pivotally mounted on said frame structure for slidably supporting said carriage, a transmission between said drive and said tape feeding means including a clutch,

means for effecting the engagement of said clutch uponthe slidable movement of said carriage, and means for swinging said supporting member about its pivotal support, when said carriage has been moved a predetermined distance to move said target out of the path of movement of the advancing blank.

13. A machine of the class described including a drive, means operated from said drive for advancing. a box blank through the machine,

means for feeding a tape towards said blank 'in position to be applied thereto, a transmission between said drive and said tape feeding means including a shaft and a clutch thereon, said clutch including a bushing fixed to said shaft, a continuously rotating clutch sleeve member encircling said bushing and forming an annular space therewith, a coil spring in said annular space and fixed at one end to said bushing, and means for holding the other end of the said spring 'rotatively stressed and against rotation, and means actuated by the advancing blanks for releasing said spring holding means to permit said spring to expand radially into driving engagement with said clutch sleeve member, whereby said shaft is rotated.

14. A machine of the class described including a drive, means operated from said drive for advancing a blank through the machine, means for feeding a tape towards said advancing blank in position to be applied thereto, a transmission between said drive and said tape feeding means including a shaft, and a clutch on said shaft. said clutch including a bushing fixed to said shaft, a

' rotatable collar supported on said bushing, a

continuously rotating clutch sleeve member encircling said bushing and forming an annular space therewith, and a coil spring in said an.- nular space fixed at one end to said bushing and ..at the other end to said collar, a stop member engaging said collar and holding it against rotation to hold said spring in wound condition, and means actuated by the advancing blank for moving said stop member out of engagementwith said collar to permit the unwinding of said spring, and its corresponding radial expansion into driving contact with said clutch sleeve member, whereby said shaft is rotated.

15. A machine of the class described including a drive, means operated from said drive for advancing a box blank through said machine, means for feeding a tape towards said advancing blank in position to be applied thereto, means for cutting the tape into predetermined lengths, a control shaft, a transmission between said drive and said control shaft including a clutch on said controlshaft', a pair of cams fixed to said control shaft, a pair of transmissions between said cams on the one hand, and said tape feeding means and said tape cutting meanson the other hand respectively, a target disposed in the path of movement of the advancing blank and adapted to be tripped bythe'forward end of said blank, and means for effecting the engagement of said clutch upon the tripping of said target by the advancing blank. 7

16. A machine for. applying a tape to the abutting edges of a folded box blank between its end closure flaps including a pair of blank feeding rollers adapted to .engage opposite sides of an advancing blank, means for feeding tape towards said rollers in position to be applied to the advancing blank between said rollers and including a pair of tape feeding rollers disposed on opposite sides of the advancing tape and means for positively rotating one of said tape feeding rollers in atape feeding direction while permitting said latter roller to overrun in said direction by the pulling action of the blank feeding rollers on said tape, and means actuated by the advancing blank for actuating said tape feeding means.

FRON'I'ICE HAROLD BRITE. 

